Amend CSHB 978 by striking page 2, lines 10-16, and substituting the following: SECTION 3. (a) This Act takes effect September 1, 1997. (b) This Act applies only to participation of an employee of a public/junior community college in group programs under Texas Employees Uniform Group Insurance Benefits Act (Article 3.50-2, Vernon's Texas Insurance Code) who is newly hired by the college on or after September 1, 1997. (c) The participation of an employee described by Section 13C, Texas Employees Uniform Group Insurance Benefits Act (Article 3.50-2, Vernon's Texas Insurance Code), as added by this Act, and who is an employee of the college on August 31, 1997, is governed by the law as it existed immediately before the effective date of this Act, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose.